Solar stepping stone

ABSTRACT

A solar stepping stone comprises a housing having an upper surface, side walls and a lower surface, the housing defining a chamber. A solar energy collector is associated with the housing for collecting solar energy. A solar power storage device is provided in the chamber for receiving and storing solar energy received from the solar energy collectors. An illuminator for illuminating at least a portion of the upper surface of the solar stepping stone is contained in the chamber and is powered by solar energy stored by the solar power member.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims the benefit of United States ProvisionalApplication No. 60/332,227 filed Nov. 14, 2001, which is incorporatedherein by reference in its entirety.

FIELD AND BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] This invention relates to stepping stones for use in outdoorenvironments. Particularly, the invention relates to such steppingstones which contain a source of light associated with the steppingstone in order to provide guidance and direction to users thereof atnight. The source of light associated with the stepping stone is,according to the invention, typically powered by solar energy which iscollected, held and dispensed by the solar stepping stone of theinvention as needed.

[0003] Outdoor and garden lighting is in widespread use in manydifferent types of environments, and is used for the purposes ofproviding illumination to certain areas or pathways during times ofdarkness to persons walking through that particular area. The outdoorgarden lighting may also be used for aesthetic and artistic effectsproduced by the lighting to beautify the area. Such outdoor lighting maytypically comprise lanterns mounted on posts or bases, and which may bepowered either by batteries, electrical sources or even solar energy.

[0004] Various forms of landscaping or stepping stones are described inthe patent literature. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 6,116,751 (Remp)discloses a lighted landscaping stone having a body and an uppertranslucent panel, and an elongated light-emitting member arrangedwithin a cavity defined thereby, the light-emitting member being of aserpentine pattern. In a preferred form, the light-emitting member is afiber optic line. An energy cable is connected to an electric outlet,providing a source of power for illumination.

[0005] U.S. Pat. No. 4,697,950 (Copeland) describes an illuminatedstepping pad to be buried in the ground, and has a circular base, anupright continuous side wall and a lid which displays messages,ornamental graphics or the like. A light is carried on the base, and thelid is translucent to permit diffusion of the light therethrough.Illumination occurs by applying low voltage power, from an electricalpower source, through electrical leads.

[0006] U.S. Pat. No. 4,744,014 (Harris) discloses another form of lowvoltage lighting system, in the form of a stepping stone, with eachstepping stone having a recessed channel in the upper face thereof and alight source removably inserted within this channel. The light source isa flexible, substantially transparent tube and low voltage lights withinthe tube. The light source is connected to a power source, and, moreparticularly, a low voltage power source, to facilitate the desiredillumination.

[0007] U.S. Pat. No. 4,992,914 (Heiss) teaches an illuminated steppingstone which is lightweight, but can support the weight of a person, andincludes a light bulb which is connected to a low voltage electricalpower source.

[0008] Various patents show the use of solar energy to provideillumination on certain devices. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,839,816(Varga) describes a road marker which may have batteries or solarcollectors to provide illumination at night. U.S. Pat. No. 4,835,664(Wen) shows a lighting fixture for the outdoors, of generallyconventional shape and form, which is typically mounted on a frame, andstands above the ground or is mounted on a wall. A solar energyabsorbing plate is provided, as well as a lens, focusing reflector andother components. Finally, Design Patent No. 309,953 (Chien) shows asolar powered light of specific ornamental design, namely, hexagonalgenerally flat-shaped with a centrally formed light.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0009] According to one aspect of invention, there is provided a solarstepping stone comprising: a housing having an upper surface, side wallsand a lower surface, the housing defining a chamber; solar energycollectors associated with the housing for collecting solar energy; asolar power storage member in the chamber for receiving and storingsolar energy received from the solar energy collectors; an illuminationmember for illuminating at least a portion of the upper surface of thesolar stepping stone, the illumination member being powered by solarenergy stored by the solar power member. Preferably, the solar powermember comprises a battery such as a photovoltaic (PV) battery.

[0010] Preferably, the chamber comprises one or more recessed cavities,preferably centrally located, extending downwardly from the uppersurface of the housing, and there may be a transparent or translucentcover over the chamber, or a part thereof, the cover preferably beingsubstantially flush or integral with the upper surface of the housing.The chamber and cover may be configured so as to provide an airtight andwaterproof sealed space. Further, at least a portion of the uppersurface may have a decorative design thereon. The cover may be of apreselected shape, or be tinted so as to have a specific color.

[0011] Preferably, the solar energy collector is formed so as to beflush with the upper surface of the housing, and may have a protectivecovering thereon to prevent damage from normal use of the solar steppingstone. In one embodiment, the solar energy collectors are formed aroundthe periphery of the chamber. The solar energy collector may beseparated from the housing and connected to the solar power storagemember by electrical connectors. The solar energy collector could belocated in an adjacent or proximal solar stepping stone and connected tothe solar power storage member by electrical connectors.

[0012] A light sensor for detecting ambient light conditions may beprovided, the light sensor switching the illumination member off whenambient light conditions exceed a predetermined threshold. There mayalso be a manual on/off switch for activating or deactivatingillumination member.

[0013] In one embodiment, the solar stepping stone may comprise a motiondetector associated therewith for detecting proximal motion such thatthe illumination member will only be switched on when ambient motion isdetected. A timer means for setting the periods of time when the solarstepping stone will be activated and deactivated may be provided.

[0014] The housing may be comprised of a material selected from at leastone of the following: resin, fiberglass, a resin and fiberglass mix,concrete, acrylics, plastics, aluminum or other metals, stone powderwith resin, stone pebbles, slate or tile. The illumination is preferablyselected from an LED and/or light bulb.

[0015] According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided amethod of illuminating an outdoor pathway comprising: arranging aplurality of solar stepping stones with respect to each other so as tobe spaced along a surface of the pathway, forming an illuminating memberwithin a chamber contained within at least some of the solar steppingstones; associating a solar energy collector with at least one solarstepping stone to collect solar energy during hours of sunlight; storingthe collected solar energy in a solar power storage member preferablylocated in the chamber of the solar stepping stone; and selectivelypowering the illuminating member so as to provide illumination through atranslucent or transparent lens formed in the upper surface of the solarstepping stone. The method may further comprise the step of attaching alight sensor to the solar stepping stone so that the illuminating memberwill only be activated when ambient light conditions fall below a presetvalue.

[0016] In yet another aspect of the invention, there is provided a solarstepping stone including a light source, wherein the light source ispowered by solar cells which collect energy from the sun during thedaylight, and which energy is then used to light or illuminate thestepping stones at night.

[0017] In yet a further aspect of the invention, the stepping stone maycomprise one or more light sensors so that the light source in, orassociated with, the stepping stone will become activated when theambient light conditions drop below a predetermined amount.

[0018] The present invention provides a source of lighting for outdoorareas and gardens by incorporating a light source within a steppingstone which may be laid and secured in the ground, and wherein aplurality of such stepping stones are arranged sequentially so as toprovide an illuminated pathway.

[0019] The stepping stone of the invention may be comprised of anyappropriate material, such as, for example, resin, fiberglass, a resinand fiberglass mix, concrete, acrylics, plastics, aluminum or othermetals, stone powder with resin, stone pebbles, slate or tile. At somepoint or area in the upper surface of the stepping stone, a light sourceis located in order to provide illumination. The stepping stone may thuscomprise an aperture, recess or cutaway portion along any part of itsupper surface to define an entry into a chamber below the upper surface,and within which the light source may be received.

[0020] Preferably, the light source is covered by a strong,weather-resistant and/or waterproof cover, which would provide thenecessary protection to the light source and its associated components,as will be discussed below, and also to form a weather-proof seal toprevent damage to the light source from rain, irrigation systems,atmospheric moisture or the like.

[0021] In another aspect, the solar stepping stone of the invention maybe comprised of different forms and configurations. It is thereforewithin the scope of the invention to provide electrical connectionsbetween adjacent stepping stones, whereby one stepping stoneincorporates solar collector and storage devices, and is electricallyconnected to adjacent or proximal solar stepping stones without suchsolar collectors or storage devices so as to illuminate a light sourcetherein. In another variation, solar collectors may be placed in onesolar stepping stone, with some or all of the proximal stepping stonesbeing electrically connected thereto so as to be able to storeelectrical energy in individual stepping stones without solarcollectors, and to supply such electrical energy to a light sourcetherein, or to other solar stepping stone which have neither solarcollectors nor electrical storage areas.

[0022] In accordance with another aspect of the invention, the solarstepping stone of the invention may comprise a transparent lens over apart of or the entire of upper surface. While the lens will betranslucent to permit the diffusion of light from the light sourceinside the stepping stone to the outside of the solar stepping stone,the lens may be, in whole or in part, of a particular color or colors toprovide the desired effect. Moreover, where the lens is less than theentire upper surface of the stepping stone, the lens itself, or a partthereof, through which the light diffuses, may be of desired shapes orconfigurations, so as to provide a number of different attractivedesigns. For example, the lens may be square, circular, star-shaped, ofan irregular shape, or shaped in the form of a lantern, house, or anysuch other object. Further, the lens may incorporate direction markers,such as arrows, to provide direction for those using the solar steppingstones.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0023] The invention may be illustrated with reference to the followingdrawings:

[0024]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an illuminated stepping stone ofthe invention;

[0025]FIG. 2 is a top view of the stepping stone shown in FIG. 1 of thedrawings;

[0026]FIG. 3 is a top view of a stepping stone shown in FIG. 1 of thedrawings, with the cover partially removed to show the various internalcomponents for illumination contained within the stepping stone;

[0027]FIG. 4 is a cross-section representation through the steppingstone along line 4-4 which is shown in FIG. 3 of the drawings;

[0028] FIGS. 5(a) and 5(b) are a top and side view of the housing of thestepping stone of the invention in another embodiment thereof;

[0029]FIG. 6 is an exploded view of another embodiment of the steppingstone of the invention showing various components thereof and theirstructural interrelationship, and

[0030]FIG. 7 is a detailed section showing the seal between componentsof the solar stepping stone in one embodiment thereof.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0031] The various illustrations described herein show differentembodiments of a solar stepping stone of the invention. Essentially, thestepping stone comprises a housing preferably but not necessarily madeof lightweight material, the housing emulating a garden stepping stone,and which may have ornamentation thereon, taking many different forms. Asealed housing is provided with a translucent lens, so that light candiffuse from a light source therein to the outside of the solar steppingstone. Further, the solar stepping stone comprises solar collectors forcollecting solar energy and conveying such energy to solar storagedevices for use when necessary.

[0032] Reference is now made to FIG. 1 of the drawings which shows afirst embodiment of a solar stepping stone 10 of the invention, in thiscase one which is generally of a square shape. The stepping stone 10comprises an upper surface 12, a lower surface 14, and side walls 16,18, 20 and 22. While the solar stepping stone 10 in FIG. 1 is shown tobe of square shape, a solar stepping stone in accordance with theinvention may be of any desired shape, including circular, elliptical,rectangular or anything else. In the solar stepping stone 10, adecorative outer periphery 24 is provided to form an attractiveornamentation to the stepping stone 10. Once more, it should beappreciated that the decoration may take large numbers of differentforms, so that the decorative elements shown in FIG. 1 may be modified,or, indeed, totally absent from the upper surface 12 of the steppingstone 10, which could therefore have no design at all.

[0033] An illumination system is mounted more or less centrally withinthe stepping stone 10, the illumination system being indicated byreference numeral 30. As will be described below with reference to theother Figures, the illumination system 30 includes solar energycollectors, an energy storage source, a light or lamp source, andvarious other components which may be present, such as light sensors,pressure sensors, motion detectors and the like.

[0034]FIG. 2 of the drawings shows a top view of the solar steppingstone 10 illustrated in FIG. 1, while FIG. 3 shows a top view of thesolar stepping stone shown in FIG. 2, but with most of the lens removedso as to show some of the components within the chamber to be described.These may best be understood by referring first to FIG. 4 of thedrawings.

[0035] In FIG. 4, it will be seen that the stepping stone 10 comprises achamber 32 which is defined by a base wall 34 and side walls 36 and 38.Each of the side walls 36 and 38 is connected to, or integral with, theupper surface 12, and joins the base wall 34 to define the chamber 32.Within the chamber 32 there is formed a solar cell 40, also seen inother Figures, the solar cell 40 comprising a peripheral strip extendingsubstantially around the perimeter of the chamber 32. In the particularembodiment shown, the solar cell 40 comprises solar energy collectors,and the energy so collected is stored in a solar energy storage member42. The electrical connectors 44 extend between the solar cell and theenergy storage member 42 so that solar energy can be transmitted to theenergy storage member 42 during the day, or under sunny conditions,while the energy so stored will be transmitted to a light orillumination source, as will be described, during hours of darkness.

[0036] Within the chamber 32, there is also located at least one lightsensor 46 which senses the amount of light in the ambient environment.The light sensor 46 is appropriately set so that it will activate ordeactivate the system 30 according to predetermined light conditions.The light sensor is thus in direct or indirect electrical contact withthe with the energy storage member 42, and will prevent the flow ofenergy from the energy storage member 42 until such time as the ambientlight conditions have dropped below the predetermined minimum. It willalso be appreciated that the illumination system 30 may also be manuallycontrolled by an on/off switch so that it can switched on or off exactlywhen desired. Further, the on/off manual switch may work in conjunctionwith the presence of a light sensor so that the system 30 must be bothswitched on and the ambient light conditions below the predeterminedminimum before illumination will occur.

[0037] A light source 48 is located within the chamber 32, the lightsource 48 being electrically connected to the energy storage member 42by connectors 45.

[0038] The chamber 32 is sealed by a cover member 50, which may becomprised of a transparent or semi-transparent material, such as anacrylic resin, which is very strong so as to be able to sustainconsiderable weight by an object on the stepping stone without breaking.The cover member 50 is sealingly engaged with the upper surface 12 ofthe stepping stone 10, to protect the contents of the chamber 32, as hasbeen described.

[0039] The cover member 50 comprises an upper surface 52 and an edgeportion 54. The cover member 50 is mounted so that the upper surface 52thereof is substantially flush with the upper surface 12 of the steppingstone so that the stepping stone 10 and cover member 50 will present, incombination, a continuous, smooth surface. The edge portions 54 arereceived within, and mounted on, a step 56 constructed into the uppersurface 12 of the stepping stone 10, and a tight fit formed. Ifnecessary, appropriate glue or other sealing methods may be used so asto ensure that the chamber 32 is fully sealed against the elements.

[0040] In use or operation, a series of stepping stones 10 arepreferably arranged serially or sequentially with respect to each otherso as to define a pathway in an outdoor environment, such as adjacent aresidential or commercial building or property. Each stepping stone 10is laid within the soil or earth, preferably so that the side walls 16,18, 20 and 22 are below the surface of the ground, with the lowersurface 14 of the stepping stone 10 being located and mounted on theearth surface which forms a substrate for the stepping stone 10.Further, the base 34 also preferably rests on the surface or substrate,preferably providing a foundation upon which the base 34 can rest.

[0041] The stepping stone 10 is preferably located in an area whichreceives sun during at least a portion of the daylight hours. Duringthis time, the solar cell 40 within the chamber 32 absorbs and ischarged with solar energy, and this energy is stored in the energystoring member 42.

[0042] The light sensor 46 senses the ambient light conditions, and,when light exceeds certain levels, disconnects the energy storage member42 from the light source 48. However, when the ambient light conditionsgrow sufficiently dark, the light sensor 46 will activate the connectionbetween the energy storage member 42 and the light source 48. The lightsource 48 will thus be illuminated and the light emanating therefromwill pass or diffuse through the transparent or translucent cover member50 and provide light for users of the path defined by the plurality ofstepping stones 10.

[0043] The stepping stones 10 may contain within the chamber 32, or atsome other convenient location thereon, other sensors and detectorsaside from the light sensor 46. Thus, for example, a motion detector,shown generally by reference numeral 60 in FIG. 3 of the drawings, maybe provided. The motion detector 60 alone, or in combination with thelight sensor 46, will determine when the light source 48 becomesilluminated. In this regard, where the motion detector 60 detects motionwhen ambient light conditions are high, the light source 48 will not beilluminated. However, when the light levels drop below a predeterminedlevel, detection of motion by the motion detector 60 causes the lightsource 48 to be illuminated. In this way, the light source will only beilluminated when light drops below a certain level, and movement isdetected. This may serve to conserve the amount of energy used by thelight source 48, which will only draw upon the energy storage member 42under appropriate conditions and when necessary.

[0044] The stepping stone 10 may also, or in the alternative, contain apressure sensitive monitor 62, shown in FIG. 3 of the drawings, whichmay operate in conditions somewhat analogous to the motion detector 60described above. In other words, the light source 48 will only becomeilluminated when the light sensor 46 senses that the ambient light is atsufficiently low levels, and pressure is applied to the stepping stone10, or adjacent stepping stones connected thereto, by a user.

[0045] The stepping stone 10 may be comprised of a wide variety ofdifferent materials, and may be in many different shapes and forms.Further, each stepping stone 10 may comprise means for receiving remotecontrol signals so that the stepping stones can be switched on or offfrom a distance. Additionally, timers or clocks may be incorporated sothat the times during which the illuminated stepping stones will beactive for operation can be set by user.

[0046] In one arrangement, the solar energy collectors and/or powerstorage members may be separated from the stepping stone 10. Thus, theenergy collectors may be optimally placed away from the stepping stoneto maximize collection of sunlight energy, and these energy collectorsmay be electrically connected to one or more stepping stones assuppliers of electrical energy.

[0047] The solar stepping stone 10 is preferably comprised of strongmaterials to be shock resistant. It is important that the chamber 32 beappropriately sealed against the elements, so that water will not seeptherein and damage the components. A preferred form of cover member 50is a fairly thick piece of acrylic, transparent or semi-transparentmaterial, which will protect the internal components. Further, the lensor cover 50 may be one or more of a variety of colors. The shape of thecover 50 itself may vary so that it forms an aesthetically pleasingdesign, whether geometric or other such as a house, tree, animal or thelike.

[0048] The light source may any one of a number of colors, such aswhite, amber, blue, green etc. The light source may be an LED, whichitself may be of different colors, or it may use color filters inconjunction with the LED to provide the desired light color. As analternative to being an LED, the light source may be a regularelectrical bulb which may be designed and appropriate for use in thestepping stone.

[0049]FIG. 5(a) and FIG. 5(b) show another embodiment of the housing 70of a solar stepping stone 72 in accordance with the invention. Thehousing 70 is essentially square in shape, having side walls, 74, anupper surface 76, an lower surface 78, and a circular chamber 80. Ribsor supports 82 are provided to give additional strength and resilienceto the solar stepping stone 72 so that it can withstand considerableweight. The various components, including the solar energy collectors,illumination source, energy storage and the like are contained withinthe circular chamber 80, which is typically covered by a cover or lensas described above. Other components which may form the variousembodiments of the solar stepping stone 72, such as motion detectors,pressure sensors, and the like, will also be contained within thechamber 80.

[0050]FIG. 6 shows an exploded view of another embodiment of theinvention. FIG. 6 shows a solar stepping stone 90 comprising a housing92 in which is received certain components, including the support 94 forthe solar collectors. A covering or lens 96 is bolted to the housing 92and support 94. The solar stepping stone 90 fits within the ground asshown in FIG. 6. With respect to FIG. 7, a detailed view showing thecover 96, support 94 and housing 92 are shown as bolted together toprovide a solid airtight and waterproof seal, to protect the components.

[0051] It will be appreciated that the solar stepping stone in itsvarious embodiments of the invention will contain the solar collectorsuch as solar panels or cells, energy storage such as photovoltaiccells, and illumination devices such as LEDs or bulbs, either within thestepping stone or immediately proximal thereto to collect solar energy.However, it will also be appreciated that certain solar stepping stonesmay have neither the solar collectors nor the energy storage but may beelectrically connected to adjacent or proximal solar stepping stoneswhich do have these components, thereby obtaining their solar energy forillumination from those which are appropriately equipped with the solarcollectors. As an alternative, a solar stepping stone may have a solarenergy storage device, which may receive solar energy through electricalconnections from proximal or adjacent solar stepping stones which areduly equipped with the solar energy collection devices.

[0052] The invention is not limited to the precise details describedherein, but may comprise a number of variations, within the scope of theinvention.

1. A solar stepping stone comprising: a housing having an upper surface,side walls and a lower surface, the housing defining at least onechamber; solar energy collectors associated with the housing forcollecting solar energy; a solar power storage member in the chamber forreceiving and storing solar energy received from the solar energycollectors; and an illumination member for illuminating at least aportion of the solar stepping stone, the illumination member beingpowered by solar energy stored by the solar power member.
 2. A solarstepping stone as claimed in claim 1 wherein the chamber comprises arecessed central cavity extending downwardly from the upper surface ofthe housing.
 3. A solar stepping stone as claimed in claim 1 furthercomprising a transparent or translucent cover over the chamber, thecover being substantially flush with the upper surface of the housing.4. A solar stepping stone as claimed in claim 3 wherein the chamber andcover are configured to as to provide an airtight and waterproof sealedspace.
 5. A solar stepping stone as claimed in claim 1 wherein at leasta portion of the upper surface has a decorative design thereon.
 6. Asolar stepping stone as claimed in claim 3 wherein the cover is tintedso as to have a specific color.
 7. A solar stepping stone as claimed inclaim 1 wherein the solar energy collector is formed so as to beadjacent the upper surface of the housing, the solar energy collectorhaving a protective covering thereon to prevent damage from normal useof the solar stepping stone.
 8. A solar stepping stone as claimed inclaim 7 wherein the solar energy collector is formed around theperiphery of the chamber.
 9. A solar stepping stone as claimed in claim1 wherein the solar energy collector is separated from the housing andconnected to the solar power storage member by electrical connectors.10. A solar stepping stone as claimed in claim 1 wherein the solarenergy collector is located in an adjacent or proximal solar steppingstone and connected to the solar power storage member by electricalconnectors.
 11. A solar stepping stone as claimed in claim 1 furthercomprising a light sensor for detecting ambient light conditions, thelight sensor switching the illumination member off when ambient lightconditions exceed a predetermined threshold.
 12. A solar stepping stoneas claimed in claim 1 further comprising a manual on/off switch foractivating or deactivating illumination member.
 13. A solar steppingstone as claimed in claim 1 further comprising a motion detectorassociated therewith for detecting proximal motion such that theillumination member will only be switched on when ambient motion isdetected.
 14. A solar stepping stone as claimed in claim 1 furthercomprising a pressure sensor associated therewith for detecting proximalforces such that the illumination member will only be switched on whensuch forces is detected.
 15. A solar stepping stone as claimed in claim1 wherein the housing is comprised of a material selected from at leastone of the following: resin, fiberglass, a resin and fiberglass mix,concrete, acrylics, plastics, aluminum or other metals, stone powderwith resin, stone pebbles, slate or tile.
 16. A solar stepping stone asclaimed in claim 1 further comprising a timer means for setting theperiods fo time when the solar stepping stone will be activated anddeactivated respectively.
 17. A solar stepping stone as claimed in claim1 wherein the illumination is selected from at least one of thefollowing: LED, light bulb.
 18. A solar stepping stone as claimed inclaim 1 wherein the illumination member illuminates at least a portionof the upper surface of the stepping stone.
 19. A method of illuminatingan outdoor pathway comprising: arranging a plurality of solar steppingstones with respect to each other so as to be spaced along a surface ofthe pathway; forming an illuminating member within a chamber containedwithin at least some of the solar stepping stones; associating a solarenergy collector with at least one solar stepping stone to collect solarenergy during hours of sunlight; storing the collected solar energy in asolar power storage member located in the chamber of the solar steppingstone; selectively powering the illuminating member so as to provideillumination through a translucent or transparent lens formed in theupper surface of the solar stepping stone.
 20. A method as claimed inclaim 19 further comprising the step of attaching a light sensor to thesolar stepping stone so that the illuminating member will only beactivated when ambient light conditions fall below a preset value.